Data Quality Asia

Pacific Award
Guideline
 
 

www.dqasiapacific.com

Ark Group Australia Copyright © 14th December 2009 
www.dqasiapacific.com 
 
 
1. What is the Data Quality Asia Pacific Award? 
Being the first of its type in the Asia region, the Data Quality Asia Pacific Award (DQ APAC Award)
aims to recognise outstanding achievements in the field of data quality, celebrate the principles that
define the discipline and highlight emerging trends. The Award is also designed to increase the
awareness and importance of the discipline as a key business consideration within the Asia-Pacific
region.

Who is eligible to be nominated for the award?

- Professionals within organisations who have implemented a data quality initiative or project
within their department or for a community on behalf of the organisation.

- Any project team that has implemented a data quality initiative or project within their
department or for a community on behalf of the organisation. The project team must
delegate the team leader or another team member to present the project or initiative in the
final round.

Please note: The individual or project team must not be or represent vendors and/or solution
providers. Vendors and solution providers are encouraged to approach clients with successful data
quality projects or initiatives where their solutions or products have been used within an aspect of the
project or initiative’s success and not the entire project or initiative.

2. How is the award judged?

Candidates are nominated for the award on the basis of project innovation and a set of data quality
principles developed by the International Association for Information and Data Quality (IAIDQ). The
winning candidate will be decided with reference to the following format:

ROUND 1
1. Ark Group Australia issues a proposal structure and guideline that candidates must submit to
be considered for the award. All proposals are submitted to Ark Group Australia directly.

ROUND 2
2. Candidate proposals are passed to the IAIDQ judging panel for consideration. The judging
panel select 10 principal nominees for the award based on the judging criteria (refer to
judging criteria in section 4). The 10 principal nominees then prepare a slideshow
presentation for consideration in the final round.

ROUND 3
3. The IAIDQ judging panel cuts the principal nominees down to two finalists who are invited to
present their project in a case study format on day one of the ‘DQ Asia Pacific: From Geek to
Chic’ conference held on the 19th – 21st March 2010
 
4. Nominees deliver a 30 minute presentation followed by 10 minutes of questions and
comments delivered by the IAIDQ judging panel present on the day.

5. Once both finalists have presented their case studies, conference delegates are invited to
vote for the winning candidate. Conference delegates are provided with a voting sheet in
delegate bags which includes a unique code to ensure against voting duplication.

6. Votes are counted and the award is presented at the end of day two of the conference.

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3. The role of IAIDQ
Chartered in January 2004, the International Association for Information and Data Quality (IAIDQ) is
a not-for profit, vendor-neutral professional society of individuals passionate about improving
information and data quality. By cultivating information excellence throughout the data and
information lifecycle, the IAIDQ will help transform organisations and society by advancing the quality
of information and data around the world by building a community, supporting learning and sharing
knowledge for the benefit of all information consumers.

The IAIDQ judging panel for the DQ APAC award will use their expertise in the field of information
and data quality to assess the nominee projects against the judging criteria. The project or initiative
of the nominee should also address the overarching theme of the annual DQ Asia Pacific conference,
by encompassing strategic innovation and the successful business application of data quality for the
benefit of organisations and their stakeholders.

4. Focus, scope and judging criteria (IAIDQ)

4.1 Focus and Scope

The initiatives and projects submitted must focus on data quality management. In this context, data
quality management is defined as the total effort to improve the quality of the data an organisation
receives, creates, uses, and/or provides to others. It consists of data, people, process and
technology activities in the following domains:

• Information Quality Strategy and Governance

• Information Quality Environment and Culture
• Information Architecture Quality
• Information Quality Value and Business Impact
• Information Quality Measurement and Improvement
• Sustaining Information Quality

More details on the IDQ domains:

IQ Strategy and Governance: This domain includes the efforts to provide the structures and
processes for making decisions about an organisation’s data as well as ensuring that the appropriate
people are engaged to manage information throughout its life cycle. Activities include working with
key stakeholders to define and implement IQ principles, policies, and strategies; organising data
governance by naming key roles and responsibilities; establishing decision rights and building
essential relationships with senior leaders in order to improve IQ.

IQ Value and Business Impact: This domain consists of the techniques used to determine the
effects of data quality on the business as well as the methods for prioritizing IQ projects. Activities
include evaluating IQ and business issues; prioritizing IQ initiatives; obtaining decisions on IQ
projects; and reporting results to demonstrate the value of IQ improvement to the organisation.

Information Architecture Quality: This domain includes the tasks that assure the quality of the
data blueprint for an organisation. Activities include participating in the establishment of data
definitions, standards, and business rules; testing the quality of the information architecture to
identify concerns; leading improvement efforts to increase the stability, flexibility, and reuse of the
information architecture; and coordinating the management of metadata and reference data.

IQ Measurement and Improvement: This domain covers the steps involved in conducting data
quality improvement projects. Activities include gathering and analysing business requirements for
data; assessing the quality of data; determining the root causes of data quality issues; developing
and implementing IQ improvement plans; preventing and correcting data errors; and implementing
IQ controls.

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IQ Environment and Culture: This domain provides the background that enables an organisation’s
employees to continuously identify, design, develop, produce, deliver and support information quality
to meet customer needs. Activities include designing IQ education and training programs; identifying
career paths; establishing incentives and controls; promoting IQ as part of business operations; and
fostering collaborations across the organisation for the purpose of engaging people at all levels in IQ
strategies, principles, and practices.

Sustaining IQ: This domain focuses on implementing processes and management systems that
ensure ongoing information quality. Examples include integrating data quality activities into other
projects and processes (e.g., data conversion and migration projects, business intelligence projects,
customer data integration projects, enterprise resource planning initiatives, or system development
life cycle processes); and continuously monitoring and reporting data quality levels.

4.2 Judging Criteria

using the following criteria:

• Relevance and data quality focus.

• Completeness and conciseness of the answers in the seven (7) topic areas/questions listed in
the Award Outline (see Section 6)
• Breadth and depth of the solutions discussed.
• Data or other evidence provided to substantiate claims made in the proposal write-up.
• Application of data quality best practices
o Focus on customer needs and customer satisfaction (internal and/or external
customers)
o Management involvement and leadership
o Definition and deployment of management accountabilities
o Process management and improvement
o Measurement
o Focus on prevention not correction
o Root-cause problem solving
o Business engagement
• Structures for and likelihood of long-term sustainability, including:
o Definition and deployment of management accountabilities
o Training
o Culture change
o Integration into standard business processes and practices
o Integration of people, processes and technology solutions

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5. Candidate proposal outline
The following information details the structure for candidate proposals. Limit your proposal to a
maximum of 1500 words (not including the cover page) and a maximum of three attachments
(graphs, photographs, etc). To ensure your application is received, please contact Ark Group 
Australia via phone or email to notify that you will be sending your application.

0. COVER PAGE
• Company
• Contact name, address, phone, email

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• One or two short project summary paragraphs (only) – no more
• Outline the motivation for change, and the enduring benefits to the organisation

2. OVERVIEW
• Describe the project undertaken, giving challenges and solutions
• Give a description of what was in place prior to the project and outline why there was a need
to make a change
• If relevant, describe the underlying technology infrastructure used. (Sales pitches for vendor
products tend to be marked down by judges. In a strong case study, the excellence of the
vendor’s products and services will be self-evident)

3. INNOVATIONS
• What new ideas and innovations were generated as a result of the project?

4. BUSINESS
• Describe the impact of the project on the way the company engages its customers, partners
and suppliers
• The impact on the employees and what their jobs now entail compared to beforehand
• Describe the impact of the project on the company’s process, performance and/or results

5. HURDLES OVERCOME
• Describe the challenges and the way in which the team addressed them, highlighting any
people and process issues across the following sub-headings:

6. BENEFITS
• Explain the benefits of your initiative across each of the applicable sub-headings.
Demonstrate the quantitative and qualitative improvements for:

Cost savings
Time reductions
Increased revenues
Productivity improvements
Vision
Strategy
Metrics
Governance
Organisation
Processes
Technology infrastructure
Competitive advantage (if relevant)

If some of these sub-heading are not applicable to your project please explain why they are
not

7. BEST PRACTICES LEARNED

• Things to avoid
• Things to do

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6. Submission Deadlines
 

Friday 5th February 2010

1. Final day for candidates to submit DQ APAC Award application– NO EXTENSIONS.

Ark Group Australia forward applicants to convenor of IAIDQ judging panel to review.

Friday 12th February 2010

2. IAIDQ to determine final 10 nominees. Round 2 nominees to be contacted and will be

asked to provide a 300 word summary of project/initiative.

Monday 15th February 2010

3. The Final 10 nominees are announced for Round 2

4. Round 2 nominees must commence preparing slideshow presentation for consideration in

final round.

Friday 26th February 2010

5. Round 2 nominees: Deadline for slide show presentation to be submitted to Ark Group
Australia for Round 2 judging by the IAIDQ judging panel.

Friday 12th March 2010

6. IAIDQ decide on DQ APAC

Award finalists for Round 3.
Round Three nominees are informed.
Confirmation of the finalist’s attendance MUST be secured before the official announcement.
If the finalist cannot attend the DQ Asia Pacific: From Geek to Chic conference, another
finalist will be determined.

Monday 29th March 2010

7. The finalists of the award are announced

8. Round 3 finalists MUST begin preparing 30 minute case study for the conference. Absolute
deadline for final slide show presentation to be presented at DQ Asia Pacific: From Geek to
Chic.

Monday 5th April 2010

9. Ark Group Australia: Absolute deadline for bio and details for presentation to be included
in DQ Asia Pacific: From Geek to Chic Show guide.

Monday 19th April 2010

10. Round Three finalists deliver presentation and voting for the winner commences.

Tuesday 20th April 2010

11. Round Three votes tallied and the winner is declared.

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7. Terms, conditions and rules of entry
Award entrants are required to sign and agree to all terms, conditions and rules of entry in order to
be considered for the DQ APAC Award. The following information details the terms and conditions of
entry for applications and award nominees:

1. No application or admission fee is required

2. The DQ APAC Award is open to candidates, projects and initiatives in the following Asian and
Oceanic countries only:

Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Bhutan,
Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China Mainland, China, Province of Taiwan, Hong Kong SAR,
India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal,
Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, American Samoa, Christmas Island, Coco
(Keeling) Islands, Cook Islands, Fiji Islands, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Micronesia,
Fed. States of, Northern Mariana Island, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk
Island, Pacific Islands Trust, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga,
Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna Islands.

3. The award is open to data quality projects and initiatives being implemented during the
period 1st January 2009 to 31st December 2009.

4. All companies that are not vendors or service providers are eligible and encouraged to apply,
including: large, medium, public or private enterprises. Vendors however are still encouraged
to assist their clients in submitting an application.

5. Proposals are eligible for submission commencing Monday 7th December 2009 and entries will
close on Friday 12th February 2010.

6. Applicants who are interested in submitting their proposal for award consideration must be
prepared to attend DQ Asia Pacific: From Geek to Chic on the 19th April 2010 to deliver a case
study presentation. The cost of flights and accommodation will not be covered by Ark Group
Australia or IAIDQ, and must be arranged by applicants who are chosen as one of the two
award finalists.

7. In the event where a finalist cannot present his or her case study at DQ Asia Pacific: From
Geek to Chic conference or breaches the terms and conditions of entry, the IAIDQ judging
panel must nominate the second runner up for award consideration in the final round.

8. Votes are limited to one vote per conference delegate and one per IAIDQ panel member.
Finalists are not permitted to vote in the final round.

9. The finalists in Round 2 of the DQ APAC Award must submit an abstract or description of
their project or initiative in no less than 300 words to Ark Group Australia for promotion in the
lead up to the third round.

10. Both award finalists in Round 3 must prepare a 30 minute case study based on their initial
proposal, and must submit all presentation material (including PowerPoint presentation and
any hard copy hand outs) to Ark Group Australia two weeks prior to the DQ Asia Pacific: From
Geek to Chic held 19th – 20th April 2010.

11. To be eligible to participate in the DQ APAC award at any or all round levels, individuals or
project teams submitting a proposal for award consideration must sign and agree to all terms
and conditions outlined in Ark Group’s “Bilateral Confidentiality Agreement” attached to DQ
APAC Award application forms.

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 12. All IAIDQ members involved as judging panellists for the DQ APAC Award will sign
confidentiality agreements with Ark Group Australia to ensure the privacy rights of all
candidates submitting award proposals. Any comments and/or references made to or by
IAIDQ members who have not signed the confidentiality agreement assigned by Ark Group
Australia, will not be recognised in any round or published by Ark Group Australia.

13. All IAIDQ members participating as judging panellists for the DQ APAC Award are to sign the
confidentiality agreement binding each participant to the terms, conditions and rules of entry
in Section 7 of the DQ APAC Award Guideline. In the event where a judging panellist does not
fulfil or is in breach of the award deadlines and/or terms, conditions and rules of entry, the
IAIDQ judging panellist will forfeit their role and responsibilities pertaining to the DQ APAC
Award.

14. In accordance with the “Bilateral Confidentiality Agreement”, Ark Group Australia will only
release Round 2 nominee abstracts for publication in Ark Group Australia and IAIDQ online
properties and Round 3 finalist presentations will be included in DQ Asia Pacific: From Geek
to Chic conference CD packs as well as Ark Group Australia and IAIDQ online properties.
Publication or usage of additional content produced or supplied by the nominee will require
the individual or project team’s consent to Ark Group Australia or IAIDQ and the individual or
project team must be informed of the nature of usage upon IAIDQ or Ark Group Australia’s
request for consent.

15. The outcome of any information divulged or released to media partners in interviews,
editorials or reports is outside the responsibility of IAIDQ and Ark Group Australia. To protect
the interests of all parties (the award entrant, IAIDQ and Ark Group Australia), award
entrants should consult Ark Group Australia before making public statements or contributions
to DQ Asia Pacific media partners or outside sources before proceeding.

16. Any comment related to vendor products and/or solutions published or syndicated to media
outlets (including print, radio or television) in relation to the project or initiative nominated for
the award without Ark Group’s consent or approval will be subject to disqualification.

17. Any scores, feedback or statements made in relation to individual or project team award
submissions by the IAIDQ judging panel or Ark Group Australia will be made strictly
confidential in Rounds 1 and 2. Individuals and project teams who have submitted initiatives
and/or projects for submission are eligible to request score feedback or comments only at the
end of each round.

For and on behalf of For and on behalf of Ark Group Australia Pty Ltd

Signed by .............................. Signed by ………………………..

Position ……………………. Position ……………………….

AS WITNESSES the hands of the duly authorised representatives of the parties.

Witness ............................... Witness ...............................

Address ................................ Address ………………………..

…………………………………………….. ……………………………………………

Occupation ............................…. Occupation ..........................

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Application Form
To Gain entry into the DQ Asia Pacific Award – all questions below need to
be answered. Please attach all proposal documentation to the application forum.

Web address of company: _________________________________________________

Number of employees: ____________________________________________________

Industry: _______________________________________________________________
Please Submit via one of the 
B to B/ B to C or other: ____________________________________________________ following three methods:  
 
Contact 1 email: 
aga@arkgroupasia.com 
Name: ________________________________________________________________
 
Position title: __________________________________________________________ Fax:  
Organisation: __________________________________________________________ +61 1300 550 662 
+61 (02) 8913 4099 
First address: __________________________________________________________ (Attention to DQ APAC Award) 
 
Second address: _______________________________________________________
Mail:  
City: _________________________________________________________________ Ark Group Australia 
DQ APAC Award 
State: ________________________________________________________________ Ground Floor 83 Walker Street 
Country: ______________________________________________________________
North Sydney NSW 2060 
 
Postcode: _____________________________________________________________  
Telephone 1: __________________________________________________________  
www.arkgroupaustralia.com.au 
Telephone 2: __________________________________________________________
 
Email: ________________________________________________________________  

Contact 2  
 
Name: ________________________________________________________________ To ensure your application is 
received, please contact Ark 
Position title: __________________________________________________________
Group Australia via phone or 
Organisation: __________________________________________________________ email to notify that you will be 
sending your application.
First address: __________________________________________________________

Second address: _______________________________________________________ If you have any further questions or 

queries regarding the DQ APAC 
City: _________________________________________________________________
Award, please contact Ark Group 
State: ________________________________________________________________ Australia on: 
 
Country: ______________________________________________________________
aga@arkgroupasia.com  
Postcode: _____________________________________________________________  
or call  
Telephone 1: __________________________________________________________
+61 1300 550 662 
Telephone 2: __________________________________________________________ +61 (02) 8913 4000  
 
Email: ________________________________________________________________
 
 
 
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 END OF DOCUMENT

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